Ann Evans writes fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. She also teaches creative writing. She is also a freelance writer for a wide range of magazines.

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Friday, 3 August 2012

ALL ABOUT SHARING

My new book

Had a lovely surprise
today when I popped into Waterstones, my latest book, Become a
Writer – A Step by Step Guide was there on the shelves. I knew
it was out but I hadn't actually seen a copy yet, but there it was in
all its colourful glory!

It was just so nice to
be able to pick it up, feel its glossy cover and flick through the
pages. It was bigger than I thought it was going to be, and I don't
think I could have felt more delighted.

This is book number 13,
but forget superstition, this book feels very special because it's
something I've been wanting to write for quite some time.

Up until
recently I haven't felt qualified, if you like, to write a book
on 'how to write'. Then a couple of years ago I began running
writing courses which people seemed to like. Also workshops in
schools have taken off and I discovered that I really like giving
tips and advice on writing. So it seemed logical to put a book
together covering all the many aspects of writing with all the perils
and pitfalls that can be avoided.

Looking back at my
early writing days when I hadn't a clue how to make a start on a
story – and worse, to figure out why my work was being rejected, if
it hadn't been for other writers sharing their knowledge and
experiences through their 'how to' books, and giving talks and
running workshops, I would never have improved.

I wonder if anyone else
remembers the great writing seminars that used to be run by Freelance
Market News back in the 1980s? The wonderful day-long seminars
were always held in Manchester and usually had about four different
speakers. I used to come away from there feeling inspired.

More recently being a
member of the Scattered Authors Society (SAS) has resulted in some
fantastic seminars and lots of opportunities to get advice from the
other Sassies. Who said writing was a lonely and solitary business?

Years ago I was a
probationer with The Romantic Novelist's Association and
remember a lovely two-day event held in Bournmouth. I think it was
there that I saw and heard Mills & Boon writer Mary
Wibberley. If ever a woman inspired an up and coming writer it was
her.

With children's books taking the front seat over recent years
it's taken me a few years to get any romances published but finally A
Tropical Affair has been published by My Weekly Pocket Novels,
and is now out as an ebook – and soon to be published in hard back. And Champagne Harvest comes out in a People's Friend novella on September 6th.

So thank you Mary and all the other
authors who share their knowledge so willingly. I just hope that my
Become a Writer – A Step by Step Guide will prove to
be a stepping stone for other budding writers.

Become a Writer –
A Step by Step Guide by Ann Evans, published by Greenstream
Publishing. ISBN 978-1907670244